15 Nov 2023

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Residents will now have a longer timeframe to report missing kerbside bins under a new waste bylaw.

At its meeting today Council approved the Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw 2023, following a hearings panel report.

The new bylaw will replace the current two - the Waste Management Bylaw 2009 and the Cleanfill and Waste Handling Operations Bylaw 2015.

Resource Recovery Manager Alec McNeil said the current bylaws were legally due for review in 2025.

“However we decided to review them sooner to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Following the review, we decided to replace the two existing bylaws with the proposed new one. The new bylaw is consistent with recent changes to regulations under the Waste Minimisation Act and our Climate Resilience Strategy. It will also assist in achieving our Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2020, including the goal to move towards zero waste.

Under the new bylaw, residents will now have 48 hours from their collection day to report their kerbside bin as missing or stolen. This has been extended from 24 hours.

Other key changes include:

  • The ability for multi-unit residential developments to opt out of and not pay for Council’s kerbside collection services in certain circumstances.
  • New requirements for waste management plans for multi-unit residential developments, demolition and construction activities, and large scale events.
  • New rules to address the problems caused by unaddressed mail and advertising material and to deal with nuisance from litter around donation boxes for clothing and household goods in a public place.
  • Allowing the Council to set standards for the collection points for recycling and diverted materials.
  • Changes to the rules for waste handling and disposal facilities, including cleanfills.

Dr McNeil says the proposed changes will provide the Council with greater flexibility.

“Some of the changes will legally enable us to adapt our services easier.”

The new bylaw comes into effect from 1 December 2023. Consultation on the Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw was carried out in February this year.

Read the Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw 2023